Lucy "Cinda" Lynn (Breeden) McQueen

Bennettsville, SC

Lucy Lynn “Cinda” Breeden McQueen, 88, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at her home. She was born April 1, 1936, to the late E. Kistler and Sara Townsend Breeden of Bennettsville and lived an exemplary life as a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher.

Cinda graduated from Bennettsville High School in 1954, attended Columbia College, and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1958. She lived and taught school in Charleston for several happy years before coming back home to Bennettsville, where she married James Newton “Jimmy” McQueen in 1967. They were blessed with two children, Jim and Lynn, and had 57 wonderful years together until Jimmy’s passing on June 2 of this year.

Cinda taught school for 30 years, 21 of which were spent as third grade teacher at Marlboro Academy. She was loved by students and parents alike, and she always enjoyed running into former students in the grocery store or on Facebook. After retiring, she enjoyed helping Jimmy with his farming operation, taking lunch to him every day and becoming quite adept at hauling cotton trailers to the gin.

A lifelong Methodist, she was a member of First Methodist Church of Bennettsville and faithfully attended her husband’s home church, Pine Grove, as long as she was able. She was kind and compassionate and endlessly thoughtful, keeping a box of greeting cards that she would send to friends, family, and acquaintances for every special occasion. She never missed an opportunity to make someone feel special and loved. 

Cinda loved flowers, in particular her gerbera daisies, butterfly bushes, camellias and clematis vines. She adored animals, especially the two cats she adopted in 2020, Billy and Tommy. She loved 1950s and beach music and had a particular fondness for Johnny Mathis. She did not love to cook, but she did it with love for her family, and she never turned down a Mountain Dew, Bojangles biscuit, or Dairy Dream hotdog. She had a great sense of humor and a sweet, gentle spirit that endeared her to everyone she met.

Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. She told magical stories about Candyland with its pink lemonade pond and peppermint trees. She made the best tiny pancakes and entertained the children by making her famously messy “boo-boo waffles.” She offered the best advice with her unique combination of wisdom and compassion. She made life happy and fun and safe, and her family always knew they were loved completely.

Cinda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her beloved older sister, Joye Breeden. She is survived by a son, Jim (Jen) McQueen, a daughter, Lynn McQueen (Terry Eades),  2 grandchildren; Alice McQueen and John McQueen.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Pine Grove Methodist Church, with burial at McCall Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church at 1 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Marlboro County, PO Box 135, Bennettsville, SC 29512.

Online condolences may be made to www.bfhbennettsville,com.

Burroughs Funeral Home is honored to assist the McQueen family.

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